Naruto's eyes were earnest and his face smug. He wished the whole world knew he was braver than Sasuke.
But hearing that passionate promise left Sakura Haruno utterly dumbfounded.
Her face stiffened, the corner of her eye twitched wildly, and she was filled with disdain.
Looking at the idiot Naruto in front of her, she wanted nothing more than to slap the noisy brat away.
But she couldn't. He was the Fourth Hokage's son.
Inner Sakura Haruno roared furiously, How did the Fourth Hokage, so handsome and gentle, end up with an idiot like Naruto for a son?
Not far away, Sasuke Uchiha's face had already turned thunderous.
The Sky Screen had broadcast the scene of him being called a coward for everyone to see, leaving him utterly humiliated and seething inside.
Now, hearing Naruto's smug boasting and comparisons, all his pent-up shame, anger, and frustration erupted at once.
He trembled with rage, abruptly lifted his head, and roared through gritted teeth!
"I'm not a coward!!"
His loud roar instantly drew everyone's attention.
The moment Naruto heard it, his interest perked up and his eyes lit up.
Sasuke was usually cool and aloof, and so capable that he outshone Naruto at every turn. Naruto never had a chance to talk back.
Today, he'd finally caught Sasuke embarrassing himself and having his weakness exposed in public. How could Naruto possibly let such a rare chance to mock him slip away?
He immediately turned toward Sasuke and launched into a barrage of taunts, making faces and looking unbearably smug.
"Haha! And you still say you're not a coward! You were clearly scared stiff on the Sky Screen just now! You stood there without daring to move!"
"I was fighting for my life, while you hid in the back! You're a coward!"
Every